Ronald Eugene Jorgensen

Ronald Eugene Jorgensen, 85, of Nora Springs and formerly of Rockford died Tuesday, June 19, 2019, at the Nora Spring Care Center.

A funeral service will be held Tuesday, June 25, 2019, at St. Mary’s Catholic Church, Roseville, Iowa, at 10:30 a.m. with a one hour prior visitation, with Deacon Matt Miller as the celebrant of the service.

Visitation will be held Monday, June 25th, at 4-7 p.m. beginning with a rosary and scripture at the Roseville Social Hall. Burial will be at St. Mary’s Cemetery, Roseville, Iowa. Fullerton Family Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

Ronald Eugene Jorgensen was born March 30, 1934, in East St. Charles Township, rural Charles City to Margaret L. (Forsyth) and George P. Jorgensen. He attended rural country school, graduating from Rudd in 1952. He worked for Jacob E. Decker meat packing plant in Mason City until he volunteered for the draft and served in the Army. He served in Korea for nine months and was honorably discharged. Upon his discharge, he started farming with his father.

He married Gila Gabel on Aug. 10, 1957, at St. Mary’s Catholic Church, Roseville, and to this union three children were born. He farmed 44 years, was a school bus driver, member of the Rockford Farmers Co-op Board, the Rockford American Legion, 4-H leader, St. Mary’s Parish member, RADC steering committee member, honorary 4-H member and served on the County 4-H Committee for 20 years where he worked the announcing ring for the showing of livestock. He also worked at Chuck’s Sale Yard. He moved to Rockford in 1994 and was employed by the city and the school.

He enjoyed hunting, fishing, carving pictures, gardening, visiting and having coffee with his friends. He continued in farming by helping his son and son-in-law. He especially enjoyed spending time with his family and friends.

Ronald is survived by his wife, Gila, Nora Springs, three children and their spouses, Sandra Haller, (Tim McCarthy) Loveland, CO; Kathleen (Kevin) Smith, Rockford; and James (Debra) Jorgensen, Rudd. Five grandchildren, Ashley (Adam) Prough, Manhattan, KS; Kylee Smith, Rockford; Patrick Haller, Grand Junction, CO; Jamie Haller (Simon Cabrera) Loveland, CO; Jayden Jorgensen, Rudd; and Rachel Smith, Clear Lake. Two step grandchildren, Justin (Ashley Connerly) Swant, Cedar Falls; Nicholas Swant, Rudd. Four great grandchildren Kamden and Berkley Smith and Elliott and Smith Prough and step-great-granddaughter Keely Chambers. One sister, Doris Briggs, North Port, FL; one brother, Harold (Marilyn) Jorgensen, Rudd. Brother-in-law Gerald Gabel, Rockford; sister-in-law Patrice Gabel, Brookings, SD; nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

Ronald was preceded in death by his parents, George and Margaret, grandson, Lane Smith; in-laws Oscar and Dorothy Gabel, brother and sister in law James and Doris Murray, brothers-in-law John Gabel and Charles Briggs.

Fullerton Funeral Home, 123 2nd St SE, Mason City, IA 50401; www.fullertonfh.com, 641-423-8676.